Utility monitoring device, system and method

Abstract

A monitoring device, system and method is provided for in-home / on-premises monitoring of usage of utilities, such as electricity and other services. The monitoring device receives information from a smart metering system or transceiver, and displays current usage through an illuminated display, which displays a colour indicative of the current cost of consumption, and controls illumination of the display to scan illumination across the display at a traverse rate indicative of a rate of consumption or other metric, the scanning of a pattern of illumination across the display simulating movement or rotation in the display. The display therefore provides a consumer with immediate “at a glance” visual information on current usage. Optionally a digital display screen provides more detailed alphanumeric and graphical information, through a number of selectable display modes. Beneficially one or more devices may be networked, and interface directly or indirectly with a transceiver of a smart metering system, or a retrofit transceiver for a conventional meter. While particularly suited to electricity monitoring, monitoring of other utilities and services may alternatively or additionally be provided. The system may be used with a wired network or wirelessly networked by one of a number of standard wireless and mesh network communication protocols.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional patent application No. 60 / 887,985 filed Feb. 2, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to a utility monitoring device, system and method for monitoring usage of utility services such as the supply of electricity, gas, water or other commodities (services), and is especially applicable to so-called smart metering systems and on-premises (e.g., in-home) monitoring devices for monitoring consumption of utilities to provide information on current and cumulative usage by consumers.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Residential, commercial and industrial establishments are typically provided with meters for measuring consumption of commodities, including electricity, gas and water, and other services, supplied to a building by utilities. For example, an electricity provider typically provides each consumer's premises with a conventional ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0049]Each different rate tier may be associated with a different colour, and the respective colour selected dependent on a rate of consumption. Green, yellow, orange and red illumination may, for example, be used to indicate respectively off-peak, mid-peak, on-peak and critical peak, providing the consumer with instant awareness of energy consumption levels and rate in a manner which is readily interpreted.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, even with smart metering, the consumer may not receive information on consumption and cost from the utility provider until a billing is received.

Although a number of in-home (in-building, on-premises) displays are available, existing products have some limitations, and may not be compatible with known smart metering systems.

Furthermore, where units plug into an electrical wall outlet, there are limitations on placement and the device may not be conveniently located for reading of a digital display.

Some smart meters may not provide information on rate period, and even when information is available, consumers may not be able to immediately interpret numeric data without analysis because there are several types of billing: e.g. single flat rate mode; tiered rate mode; time-of-use rate modes.

When smart meters are not installed, such approaches often require an electrician to install specialized equipment connected to a conventional meter, and the equipment generally requires a separate power supply or power source.

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